Negotiation is an art—a delicate balance of persuasion, compromise, and strategic positioning. In international diplomacy and high-stakes business, successful negotiators build trust, maintain credibility, and seek long-term advantages.
However, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s public negotiation style, marked by inflammatory language and personal attacks, has proven ineffective on the global stage.
While such tactics may have been useful in the entertainment industry and real estate, where theatrics and bluster generate media attention, they have backfired in international relations, permanently damaging key alliances.
The Pitfalls of Public Confrontation
One of the most glaring flaws in Trump’s negotiation approach is his tendency to engage in public, high-profile confrontations. Rather than working behind closed doors to secure meaningful agreements, he often resorted to public insults, threats, and ultimatums. This approach may appeal to domestic audiences that admire a tough-talking leader, but in the realm of diplomacy, it alienates allies and erodes trust.
For example, his frequent Twitter attacks on Canada and Mexico during NAFTA renegotiations created unnecessary hostility. Instead of fostering goodwill to secure a favorable deal, he forced both countries to seek alternatives. As a result, Canada and Mexico have pivoted away from reliance on the U.S., strengthening trade relations with other nations and diminishing America’s leverage.
Breaking Trust with Allies
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful negotiation. Once broken, it is exceedingly difficult to restore. Trump’s approach, rooted in short-term victories and nationalist bravado, disregarded the importance of long-term relationships. This was particularly evident in dealings with the European Union, where his combative stance led to a significant cooling of transatlantic relations. By treating allies as adversaries, he weakened America’s position in an increasingly competitive global market, handing strategic advantages to China.
The Market Disruption Factor
Beyond diplomacy, Trump’s erratic negotiation style created unnecessary volatility in global markets. His unpredictable trade wars, tariff announcements, and policy reversals left investors and businesses scrambling. Stability and predictability are fundamental to business confidence, yet his approach injected uncertainty, making it difficult for companies to plan ahead. This is precisely why many investors, including myself, divested from U.S. equities—refusing to gamble on an unstable and unpredictable playing field.
The Long-Term Consequences
While some of the immediate economic and diplomatic fallout may be reversible, the damage to relationships with key allies and trade partners is not. Countries that once looked to the U.S. as a stable and reliable partner have now built alternative networks, reducing their dependence on American markets. The result? A weaker U.S. position on the global stage and diminished economic influence.
The Lesson: Negotiation Requires Diplomacy
Effective negotiation is not about grandstanding or bullying—it is about fostering partnerships, securing mutual benefits, and maintaining credibility. Trump’s public negotiation style may have worked in the world of entertainment, but on the world stage, it has proven to be a failure. The ability to influence others does not come from shouting the loudest but from strategic engagement, trust-building, and a nuanced understanding of global dynamics. In the end, true leadership is measured not by the deals made in the moment, but by the relationships that stand the test of time.
Charles Bivona Jr., aka Coach JP Money, is a business strategist, financial coach, and founder of CoachJPmoney.com. A lifelong entrepreneur, he launched his first real estate deal at 17 and went debt-free by 1998. Since then, he has built national media brands, advised small businesses, and helped clients grow online using smart strategy, digital tools, and creative grit.
An expat living in Baja, Mexico, Charles also writes and produces music as Johnny Punish and lives off-grid at Hacienda Eco-Domes, a sustainable retreat he built with his wife. Through providing small business services, coaching, writing, and podcasting, he’s on a mission to help others win their future—on their terms.
Read his full bio at PunishStudios.com >>>
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